Chapter 195 Monopoly No. 1

For Liverpool and Basel, the day of judgment is November 12, two weeks away. No matter how anxious they are, they can only temporarily focus on the league.

Chang Sheng thinks further. Valencia has already qualified ahead of schedule, and his goal is the second round group stage.

The UEFA Champions League at this time is different from the UEFA Champions League that everyone is familiar with in the future, mainly reflected in the competition system.

At this time, the reform of the Champions League competition system is mainly due to the G14 league concept proposed by European giants, which threatens UEFA's three major European competitions-the UEFA Champions League, Cup Winners' Cup and UEFA Cup.

In response to the threat from g14, UEFA had to reform the three major cups.

The result of the reform is the cancellation of the Cup Winners' Cup, and then the leagues of each country can send one to four teams to participate in the UEFA Champions League according to the performance of their respective national teams in the European competition. In addition, a round of group matches has been added to the UEFA Champions League. In the first stage of the group stage, 32 teams are divided into eight groups, with four teams in each group. The home and away games are round-robin. Eight teams will be determined after six games. The top two in the group will enter the second round of the group stage, and the third place will take part in the UEFA Cup. The sixteen teams will be divided into four groups by lottery, and the eight teams will be determined. After that, it's a knockout round of promotion all the way.

The purpose of doing so is to increase the participating teams and expand the influence and attractiveness of the Champions League. In addition, adding a round-robin group match is mainly to increase the number of team games, so that they can get more game opportunities and earn more bonuses.

This allows UEFA to gain the support of more teams and compete with g14.

There are pros and cons to this reform.

Although it has expanded the influence of the Champions League, it has also increased the chances for many teams to compete, allowing them to have the opportunity to earn more bonuses.

But the disadvantages are also prominent.

First of all, the two group matches increased the game and increased the burden on the players, resulting in a lack of physical fitness for the players. Various injuries are prone to occur. This is something that is detrimental to the interests of the players and the team.

Secondly, there are two group matches. Although the participating teams have more opportunities to play, the viewing pleasure of the game has declined. The group stage was as lukewarm as water. It will take six group matches to determine the final spot. But the home and away knockout rounds only need two games. It is self-evident which one is more intense, higher level, and more committed by both teams.

UEFA's attempt to revamp the Champions League with a two-group stage format has failed.

So the 2002-2003 season.

It will be the last time that the UEFA Champions League will appear in front of everyone in the form of two group stages.

Starting from the 2003-2004 season, the UEFA Champions League will return to the previous format. That is, 32 teams are divided into eight groups, and 16 teams are determined. These 16 teams will not participate in the second round group stage, and will directly conduct home and away knockout matches.

That is the format of the Champions League that everyone is familiar with now.

Let's be honest. Chang Sheng doesn't like the current competition system very much, basically because of the above two points.

However, when Chang Sheng was just a fan before, he disliked this competition system, mainly because he felt that the two group matches made many matches that should have been fierce but turned into tasteless. Everyone calculates each other, hides their strength, and if they can not lose, they will never take risks.

There is no benefit in the double round-robin group stage.

Now he is a head coach, as a head coach. He believes that the double round-robin group stage allowed his players to play four more games. If it is only a home and away elimination system, only two games are needed to go from the top 16 to the top eight. Now they have to catch each other and fight six games.

It's just a waste of time and energy.

The players were already tired. At this time, there are still six Champions League group matches to be played, which greatly increases the possibility of players being injured.

No head coach would like this format.

It's all about giving way to money, giving way to ratings, giving way to sponsors.

Although I don't like it. But you still have to play by the rules.

So Chang Sheng is already thinking about how to play the game during this time. He may have to rotate more often.

Because the second round of the Champions League group stage will span a winter break, from the end of November to the end of March. This period is one of the most tiring and injury-prone for players.

Fortunately, this summer, four players were bought to supplement the thickness of the bench.

If it is still the lineup of last season, it may be a little stretched.

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Back from Liverpool, Valencia beat the Spaniard 1-0 away in the eighth round of the league.

Starting with a 2-0 away victory over Atletico Madrid, Valencia has won three consecutive victories. But this did not help them secure the top position in the league.

Because of this round, Real Sociedad also won. They and Valencia now have the same points, with 20 points. Even the score is the same, they beat Villarreal 1-0 away.

After this round of the league, it is the last round of the Champions League group stage.

But this has little to do with Valencia.

Valencia, who used all the substitutes, beat Spartak Moscow 2:1 at home.

It is worth mentioning that Deco scored his first goal after joining Valencia in this game. In all competitions, he has contributed ten assists for the team, but has yet to score.

Now that the first goal has come, presumably goals will continue to appear in the future.

The Russian championship team, which was full of pride when the lottery was drawn, failed to win a game in this group stage and was eliminated with a shameful score of zero points.

At the same time, another group match was held very intensely.

Basel scored from the start of the game, took the lead in the fifth minute, and scored two more goals in the 22nd and 29th minutes.

Leading 3:0 in the first half.

At that time, the commentator said that the game had lost its suspense, and Basel would advance to the second round group stage.

Unexpectedly, the situation changed suddenly in the second half, and Liverpool, who were forced to die, broke out. They scored two goals in three minutes, making the score 2:3, only two goals away, which gave them hope of advancing.

In the 85th minute, Michael Owen scored the third goal for the team to equalize the score.

In the following time, Basel returned to defense across the board. Shrunk in the penalty area and couldn't come out, while Liverpool pressed forward aggressively, bombarding Basel's goal indiscriminately, and even the goalkeeper went up.

They only need one goal to eliminate Basel.

But until the referee blew the whistle for the end of the game. None of them were able to score another goal...

finally. After the draw ceremony, Liverpool, who were considered to be the favorites to qualify, maybe even the number one in the group, were eliminated just like that, and could only go to the UEFA Cup as the third place in the group...

When the game is over. The Liverpool players couldn't believe it. They were dumbfounded, standing on the field stupidly, without any reaction.

The Basel players were ecstatic, running and cheering on the pitch. The entire Basel arena turned into a sea of ​​joy. their cheers. It even more matches the downfall of Liverpool...

After all the group matches have been played, UEFA conducted a second draw for the group matches of the second round group stage.

There are only four groups in the second round group stage.

Valencia was assigned to Group B, and they were in the same group as the Eredivisie champions Ajax, Serie A powerhouse Roma, and the traditional Premier League team Arsenal.

Dutch football at the turn of the century has not declined as much as it will in the future, so the Eredivisie team at this time is still very strong. The strength of this group is also very average. It is hard to say who can qualify from the group and who cannot.

Especially on Valencia.

Nobody dares to judge.

After the last group draw ceremony, Chang Sheng said something good. It attracted a lot of criticism, but it turned out that what they said was the truth. For Valencia, it was a good sign. They had five wins and one tie in six games in the group stage, and they qualified with 16 points.

Such a strong performance. Let people look good on their performance in the second round group stage as well.

The first round of the group stage will kick off on November 27.

It is only half a month from now.

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On November 6th, the second round of the Copa del Rey, Valencia challenged Alligendi away, and all the victors in this game were substitutes.

He has won the Copa del Rey for two consecutive seasons. This season, the emphasis on the Copa del Rey is not as great as in the past. This is also human nature, the Copa del Rey is for him. Nothing new for his team.

So now for Valencia, the Copa del Rey has become a training event for substitutes and young players.

It is also a good thing that those substitute players who cannot get a stable chance to play in the league can have a chance to show themselves in the King's Cup.

Valencia, who came off the bench, fought fiercely with Alligendi for 120 minutes in the away game, and it was a 1:1 tie. In the final penalty shootout, Valencia won 5:4 and advanced to the third round.

In the ninth round of the league, Real Sociedad played second in this round. They fought with Deportivo and finally drew 1:1.

This is definitely good news for Valencia on the second day of the game.

But maybe the news was so good that the Valencia players were too excited.

As a result, on the second day of the game, Valencia was tied 1:1 by Real Betis at their home court.

The points of the two teams are still the same 21 points...

What a good brother, we share difficulties and share blessings.

To draw, everyone draws.

After the game, Chang Sheng scolded the players bloody in the locker room.

Because of the great opportunity, Valencia did not seize it, resulting in a tie with the opponent until now.

In addition to scolding, Chang Sheng also announced that the next day's holiday would be cancelled, and all players would go to Patna Sports City. He would give them a good tactical lesson.

The Valencia players who were scolded by Chang Sheng trained very hard in the following weeks.

Then they ushered in a chance in the next round of the league.

The Valencia and Real Sociedad games are played at the same time, and both teams are playing away games.

Valencia, full of fighting spirit, defeated Osasuna 3:1 away.

The Real Sociedad scored 0:0 at the Bernabeu and Real Madrid!

In terms of points, Valencia has finally surpassed Real Sociedad and has the first place in the league alone!

Chang Sheng is very satisfied with the performance of the players, because their game ended first, so they are all waiting in the locker room for news from another stadium.

When it was reported that Real Sociedad and Real Madrid had drawn, there was a burst of cheers in the dressing room.

The stress that had been building up for a week finally melted away.

After being scolded by Chang Sheng, this team is struggling to prove themselves again.

This is the benefit of prestige [worship].

If it was in the past, Chang Sheng scolded the team, maybe it would also cause dissatisfaction among the players.

But now, when most of the players worship their prestige, Chang Sheng scolded them, only to motivate them, not to make them have any bad thoughts.

They are willing to fight for victory.

If Chang Sheng scolds them, they will feel the pressure, because the head coach is not happy.

Amidst the cheers, Chang Sheng announced that tomorrow will be a day off, and everyone cheered even louder.

After winning the ball, completely occupying the first place in the league, there is still room for leave.

What a blessing!

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ps, from May 1st to May 7th, the monthly ticket period is double, so if you have a monthly ticket, don't keep it until the end of the month. This month's strategy is different from last month's.

Please cast your monthly ticket early!

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